Standards for Rangeland Health
and
Guidelines for Livestock Grazing Management
for
Public Lands in Oregon and Washington
UPDATE for the
East Rabbit Hills Allotment #530
6/19/13
The original East Rabbit Hills Allotment Rangeland Health Assessment was conducted in 2003. The East Rabbit
Hills Allotment has a total of 8,404 acres and 1,200 AU Ms. The allotment is split into two pastures the main
pasture is 7,718 acres and the Steer Field Pasture {Heifer field) is 852 acres. The East Rabbit Hills Allotment is
currently grazed in the spring and irregularly in the winter with a total of 1198 AUMs from 11/15-4/20. This
allotment is grazed under two, 10-year permits by two livestock operators. One permittee prefers to utilize
the allotment primarily in the spring and the other operator would like to utilize portions ofthe allotment
more in the winter and some in the spring. This .allotment is characterized by stands of crested wheatgrass seedings.
Summary of Rangeland Health Assessment for East Rabbit Hills Allotment {00530}
Standard
Assessment
Current
Findings
2003
AsSessment
Comments
2012
The 2003 RHA states that the Soil Surface Factor is unknown in a majority
(59%) of the allotment and the remaining part of the allotment is in the slight
erosion class.
Upland soils exhibit infiltration and permeability rates, moisture storage, and
stability that are appropriate to soil, climate, and landfrom.
1. Watershed
FunctionUplands
2. Watershed
Function
Riparian/
Wetland
Areas
Availa~.l~
trend
data show that plant cover and the cmiount and distribution of bti·re -gi-ound
is within the range of variability expected for the ec·otogical sites fOund in the
"
allotment.
Met
Met
Met.
The plant composition is most commonly Agropyron crisitatum. A crisitatum
makes up 31% of the main pasture and 78% of the small pasture. Wyoming
big sagebrush makes up 21% of the main pasture and 15% of the main
pasture is Wyoming big sagebrush/grass. There are some forbs scattered in
the allotment and annual weeds taking up much of the space between bunch
grasses and shrubs.
Most of the allotment falls into the early stage ecological condition class due
to the crested wheatgrass, 17% is in the mid, and 8% in the late sera! stage.
Livestock grazing does not appear to be negatively impacting the upland
watershed function.
Met
Rabbit Creek is an intermittent creek and is often dry during the spring
livestock grazing period for the allotment. The 2003 RHA states that there
are 5 acres of palustrine wetlands found in the allotment and they are rated
in Proper Functioning Condition. Livestock grazing does not appear to be a
factor limiting riparian/wetland function.
There are healthy and productive plant populations and communities within
the allotment. Plant reproduction is appropriate and organic matter is
accumulating in the form of litter and is being incorporated into the soil,
Trend photos indicate good vigor of perennial vegetation and trend is stable
to upward within the allotment.
3. Ecological
Processes
Met
Met
4. Water
Quality
NA
NA
This standard is not applicable to the assessment area. There are no
perennial streams in this allotment.
The allotment is supporting the current and proposed number of mule deer
and pronghorn identified by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
5. Native, T/E,
and Locally
Important
Species
Met
Met
management plans. Deer and pronghorn populations are healthy. The
allotment is home to numerous small and non-game birds and mammals
common to the Great Basin. There are no known sage grouse leks or habitat
within the allotment. The allotment also provides habitat for some BLM and
state sensitive wildlife species. No critical habitat or limitations have been
identified for any of these species which include wintering bald eagles, and
possibly pigmy rabbits, California bighorn sheep, various sensitive bat species
or Peregrine falcons. Livestock grazing does not appear to be limiting wildlife
habitat within the allotment.
Guidelines for Livestock Management
Existing grazing management practices or levels of grazing use on the Lynch Allotment are consistent with the
Guidelines for Livestock Grazing Management (August 12, 1997}. The pasture is grazed at an appropriate
season coordinated with precipitation, plant growth, and plant form to promote appropriate vegetative cover
and optimal rangeland health. BLM lands are grazed in coordination with private lands to minimize conflicts
and promote adequate livestock distribution. It is recommend to use the Steer pasture more in the winter or
provide a pasture rotation to allow relieffrom heavy use early in the spring. This will allow plants increased
recovery and regrowth from recent heavier use.
2013 Team Members
Name
Lori Crumley
Vern Stofleth
Theresa Romasko
Grace Haskins
Bill Cannon
Jimmy Leal
Chris Bishop
Todd Forbes
Title
Rangeland Management Specialist
Wildlife Biologist
Assistant Field fylaoager
Weed Management Specialist
Archeologist
Fisheries Biologist
Recreation
Assistant Field Manager
.
2013 Determination
~Existing grazing management practices of levels of grazing use on the East Rabbit Hills Allotment promote
achievement of significant progress towards the Oregon Standards for Rangeland Health and conform with the
Guidelines for Livestock Grazing Management.
( } Existing grazing management practices or levels of grazing use on the East Rabbit Hills Allotment will
require modification or change prior to the next grazing season to promote achievement of the Oregon
Standards for Rangeland Health and conform with the Guidelines for Livestock Grazing Management.
Thomas E. Rasmussen, Field Manager
Date
East Rabbit Hills Allotment
Monitoring Summary {2012):
The two operators of the East Rabbit Hills Pasture are NJN Flynn Investments LLC and Jack Flynn. NJN is permitted 598
AUMs from 11/15-4/20 and Jack Flynn is permitted 600 AUMs in the spring from 11/15-4/20.
The Steer Field Pasture has been grazed moderate to heavy. The heavy use is typically in the winter and very early spring
and plants have recovered with regrowth yearly. This is within the management guidelines for the pasture.
Actual Use and Utilization
Steer Field
Pasture
Year
AUMs
%Use
Jack
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004·
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1993
1992
1991
1990
Average
85
178
141
137
138
168
Main Pasture
AUMs
Jack
0
54
70
60
70
70
70
256
32
253
184
224
212
264
237
177
173
%
Use
NJN
469
559
482
475
315
181
715
397
409
583
592
579
553
690
633
504
Total
30
45
44
41
65
70
36
47
52
35
527
737
623
612
453
349
971
397
662
767
816
791
817
927
810
677
45
73
42
45
69
40
65
..
60
169
"""
60
216
496
637
East Rabbit Hills (Main) Pasture:
Observed Apparent Trend
RB-4
RB-7
2008
2011
Vigor
Seedlings
4
4
4
Surface
Litter
Pedestals
5
5
4
5
5
5
5
Total
23
22
Total
Rating
Stable
Stable
Rating
Gullies
Cover
RB-4
1987
2008
Bare Ground
32.5
Litter
0
38.7
17.5
30.
50
1
18 '
56
19
26
2008
92
2011
97
8
3
Rock
Gravel
Vegetation
11.3
2011
Rye
AGCR
BRTE
mustard
44.5
22.2
2008
2011
10
6
6
5
5
Seedlings
6
5
Surface
Litter
5
5
Pedestals
Gullies
5
4
5
31
5
5
26
25
Upward
Upward
Stable
2008
.RB-7
Bare Ground
Litter ·
Crust/Moss
% Composition
RB-4
1987
2005
Vigor
I
9
31
52
0
Vegetation
Crust/Moss
28
RB-7
AGCR
2011
41
Rock
Gravel
100
-·
38
1
2008
I
5
2011
I
100
I
22.2
11.1
Trend plot RB-4 was established in 1987 in the East Rabbit Hills Pasture. In 2011, notes observed the year to have a long
Bromus tectorum and Thelypodiopsis vermicularis is heavily present at this site.
crisitatum and a slight decrease in percent cover of
Elymus cinereus is observed. Trend photos show E. cinereus and A. crisitatum has increased in growth over the years
and the space between the E. cinereus and A. crisitatum has decreased. The space between is filled B. tectorum and T.
vermicularis. Observed apparent trend and photo trend is stable.
cold wet spring and minimal growth.
From 2008-2011 a very slight increase in percent cover of Agropyron
Trend plot RB-7 was established in 1985 in the East Rabbit Hills Pasture. In 2011, A.
spindly with many seed heads with presence of Delphinium sp. and
cristatum plants looked short and
Lupinus sp. In 2008, most seed heads were present.
B. tectorum and T. vermicularis do occupy the site. Observed Apparent Trend and photo trend is stable and upward.